PLANS are at an advanced stage for GOBATA to take over and re-open Swaffham. The Norfolk track, which had been trading for 13 years, closed in 2000 following a dispute between greyhound promoter Tom Smith and the holder of the header lease, Vince Moody. The derelict track was revamped a couple of years ago and has been used as a schooling facility by local trainers.

GOBATA chairman Martin White said: "We were approached to see if we would like to lease or even buy the stadium. We have been along to see the track, which would need money spending on it to get it operational, money that current owners Eddie Lesley and Maurice Kirby have agreed to spend. We would also need support from GBGB in terms of their rules which currently forbid any grants during the first year of trading. The fact that it is a stadium re-opening, rather than being a new greyhound track, will hopefully have a bearing. The next step is for the GOBATA committee to decide if we should proceed. We are also looking at the possibility of taking over another stadium, though it is too early in the discussions to go into detail".